June 21, 2010

Hey everyone!, alright well this week has been really fun and a lot of hard work. We prepared all week to teach the second lesson al in chinese. I have learned to make best of the little amounts of random time i have throughout each day to study. Some of the elders learning mandarin with me say that learning the chinese words are hard to memorize because you have to remember a new word plus tones and they all sound the same but for some reason it just makes sense in my brain that the tones make a certain word. So i don't find it all that hard to memorize them but I also believe that my praying to the lord for help has blessed me with that. Well anyway, this saturday my companion and I had our TA, lets just say....we were sufficiently humbled. Our investigator was a native and she spoke so quickly and asked questions that were difficult to answer in english let alone trying to answer them in chinese. We did our best for the situation we had and at first I was dissapointed because i felt we didn't do well and that i did poorly, but then I realized that even though I may not have been able to answer her questions in chinese, I understood everything she was saying! The gift of tounges and interperation of tongues is real, BUT it only comes through hard work and having faith in the lord. Although I know there is sooooooo much more I can work on. I have been trying to change my focus to focusing on the investigator and not just teaching a lesson. It comes clearer to me everday why I am truly out here. The Lord loves his people and wants everyone to return to live with him. I have been thinking of that while I teach because I truly want people to know that the Lord does love them, he wants everyone to hear his gospel so they can live with him again. I know this is true. And the only way i know this is true is because I have studied it out, pondered, and prayed....a lot. We have to do our part before the Lord will give us that testiomny, it doesn't just come randomly. We had another awesome devotional this week and the speakers focused on remembering. Remembering all that god has given us, all that he continues to give us and bless us with, and how remembering that will help us become better people. For whoever is reading this go read (Mosiah 2:18-the end of the chapter.) Those scriptures are so strong on how much God has given us and how we need to remember that. I love this Gospel and I love all of you :). One thing I have learned here is to put on a smile, no matter what. Even if you dont feel like it, because once you smile it will only make you happy! Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!

Dad - I love you. Thank you so much for your example. It has helped me greatly, and I look up to you soooo much :) Happy Fathers day and birthday and "you are awesome dad!" I tried finishing a present for you in time but i will probably send it a little late.

Mom - Thank you for all the scarifices you have made for me, none have gone unoticed, I love you :)

Hailee - I love you. I hope all is going well, and know that God and Jesus Christ do know you and love you :)

Scooter - Woof!